Age Matters

In accordance with national guidelines and consistent with the medical needs of the patients, Gift of Life has updated the registration requirements for new donors to fall within the ages of 18 to 35 (inclusive). This is due to clinical reasons that improve transplant outcomes. Statistically, over 85 percent of transplants take place with donors in this age category.

Donors who are between the ages of 36 to 60 (inclusive) may still join the registry but will either need to cover the $60 cost of the test or be placed in the queue for processing after the donors in the other category are tested. Unfortunately, neither the government nor insurance covers the cost of testing new donors to grow the registry; recruitment must be conducted with the greatest effectiveness to meet the needs of the patients. All donors will remain in the registry until their 61st birthday unless medically deferred or withdrawn by request.

We recognize that many volunteers are passionate about joining the registry and helping to save a life. However, purely from a biological standpoint and in the interests of what is best for the patients in need, transplant physicians have asked the worldwide registries to recruit donors as young as possible (over 18).